The Sony Alpha A99 is the premium full frame digital SLR from Sony with Sony's translucent mirror technology offering high speed auto focus and shooting. Find out how it performs in our review.
| Sony Alpha A99 in Digital SLRs
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Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Sony Alpha A99 is Sony's premium full frame Digital SLR and the long awaited update to the Sony Alpha A900 and A850, introducing the SLT (Sony Translucent) technology to full frame, and could very well mark the end of optical viewfinders in Sony Digital SLRs. The Sony Alpha A99 features a 24.3 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, 6fps continuous shooting, full HD video with continuous AF, and an impressive 2.359million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.
The Sony Alpha A99 features a new 24.3 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, with new optical low-pass filter, and a shutter rated for 200,000 shots. The sensor has been designed for improved noise performance thanks to better sensitivity to light at the pixel level.
The camera offers 6fps continuous shooting at full resolution as well as a 10fps continuous shooting mode at a cropped resolution. The body is weathersealed and has a magnesium alloy structure internally. The optional battery grip also features the same level of weather sealing.
Movie recording has been developed with Sony's broadcasting team, and provides full HD 60p recording, with full time continuous AF. P/A/S/M manual movie modes have been upgraded. Sound can be recorded by the camera, or using the microphone socket. Audio level display and rec level control is provided, as well as a silent multi controller on the front of the camera. Full HD movie output via HDMI, with shooting info on/off, (simultaneous full HD to screen and other screen), as well as a headphone socket is provided.
The camera has built in GPS, a high resolution OLED Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) with 2.359 million dots, and the screen on the back is a high resolution VGA equivalent 3 inch tilting and swivelling screen to let you take photos and videos from awkward angles.
Handling - The A99 has a deep hand grip and may be more suited to someone with larger hands - it also features a rubber grip that goes the whole way around the camera from the back thumb grip to the front. With the optional vertical hand grip the camera becomes much larger again and thanks to the magnesium alloy weather sealed body, it feels very well made and very strong. The Sony Alpha A99 without the grip feels extremely comfortable to hold even with one hand, although not recommended, it is a sign that the design and ergonomics are well thought out. The mode dial is released with a middle button, and features 3 custom memory recall positions.
A new flash hot-shoe has been added to the Sony A99, along with the Sony NEX-6 and Sony RX1, which makes it much easier to add standard ISO accessories to the camera. The tilting, swivelling screen is extremely versatile letting you point it forwards either above the camera or below, as well as giving better viewing when holding the camera above or below you. The front focus control button can be used to set different options, and the scroll wheel around the button makes switching between the options quick and easy.
Another new feature of the Sony Alpha A99 is the ability to set the AF range for the lens, for example if there isn't a focus limiting switch on the lens, or you want to be more precise about where you want the camera to focus, so the lens doesn't hunt for focus and therefore focus can be even quicker.
Menus – The menu system is well laid out with the menus starting with photo options and then spread over a number of pages are the playback, setup and more advanced options. With the A99 having a number of external controls and buttons you rarely need to access the menus, as the option is displayed on the LCD while changing it. Using the function button it's also possible to get access to most controls on the rear screen.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 410 shots according to Sony / CIPA test results, we were able to take 400 shots with 42% battery life remaining. As the camera uses an Info-Lithium battery, the remaining battery life is shown on the camera as a percentage.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
Shutter response is excellent, and the camera has quick shot to shot times. 10fps shooting mode is cropped from the centre and at a reduced resolution of 4.6 megapixels, and takes 16 shots before slowing down. * Focus was very quick, except when the 100mm macro lens was hunting for focus, and using the AF range setting it was possible to set the focus range to the correct distance and avoid the macro lens from hunting, giving excellent focus speeds.
Sample Photos - Images shot with the camera come out with bright saturated colour, and levels of detail are good, with particularly saturated reds and blues. Our studio portrait was shot using manual white balance.
Lens Performance - Dynamic range is excellent with reliable exposure in a variety of shooting situations. Some purple fringing is visible in the shot of the trees, although this was not a concern in other shots. Focusing was very reliable and the 100mm Macro lens gives excellent macro performance, as would be expected.
ISO Noise Performance - Noise is excellent at ISO50, ISO100, ISO200 and ISO400 with very good detail. Noise appears slightly at ISO800 when viewing images at full size, although it's not very easily noticed until ISO1600. At ISO3200 noise increases again and this grain is easier to see, with a slight loss of detail. At ISO6400 noise increases again and detail drops slightly. At ISO12800 there is a loss of colour saturation as noise increases again, and the camera appears to apply strong chroma noise reduction. At ISO25600 noise it at it's worst and image quality suffers, although it's worth noting that these images could still provide useful when resized. ISO Noise reduction settings: Long Exposure NR (On), High ISO NR (Low, options: Off, Low, Normal).
White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under tungsten lighting, giving a slightly warm result, with the tungsten preset giving a more accurate result. AWB performs very well under fluorescent lighting, with each fluorescent preset giving a different colour cast.
1/125 sec | f/4.5 | 100.0 mm | ISO 100 - Panoramic mode automatically stitches the photos together as you pan the camera from one side to another.
Digital Filters - Creative effects shown above - unfortunately it's not possible to record RAW original images when using these effects. There are a variety of colour options and creative effects including HDR painting and Rich Tone Monochrome - both of these take 3 photos and merge them together for greater dynamic range. The colour options let you customise contrast, saturation and sharpness.
Video - Video options include P/A/S/M shooting, AVCHD, MP4, Steadyshot On/Off, AF tracking, Wind noise reduction, and creative styles as well as picture effects can be applied. Max ISO for video is ISO6400. Continuous AF during videos is extremely quick as this video shows.
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
The camera provides good handling, with rapid speed and a relatively easy to use menu system and controls. A large number of external buttons and dials aid quick setting changes, and the introduction of a more standard flash socket is an improvement over the previous Sony flash hot-shoe. With a Sony Info-lithium battery you get excellent information about how long you have left to shoot as well.
Image quality is particularly pleasing with excellent noise performance and focus performance is excellent thanks to the cameras SLT technology, allowing fast focusing for continuous shooting as well as video recording. Another unique feature is AF range control which could be particularly useful for sports or wildlife photographers where the subject is a set distance. Colour, detail, and dynamic range are all excellent with the camera producing great photos straight from the camera.
The Sony Alpha A99 has a number of unique features that help it stand out amongst other full frame Digital SLRs, and importantly delivers some impressive benefits thanks to Sony's use of "Translucent Mirror" technology, namely quicker focus performance for photos and video, as well as high speed live view performance, and a high resolution OLED electronic viewfinder. For stills photography you may want to save some money and look at some of the other full frame cameras, but if you take high speed photography or are interested in video recording then the Sony Alpha A99 certainly stands out - it also takes some excellent photos.
Excellent noise performance
Great image quality and excellent colour
AF range control
Lens AF fine tuning
Large strap
More standard ISO Flash than previous models
Info-Lithium Battery
Built in GPS
OLED viewfinder looks excellent
Continuous AF in videos
Focus Peaking
Electronic level
Doesn't automatically switch between memory card slots
Price compared to competition
Loud shutter sound
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Sony Alpha A99 is Sony's premium full frame Digital SLR and the long awaited update to the Sony Alpha A900 and A850, introducing the SLT (Sony Translucent) technology to full frame, and could very well mark the end of optical viewfinders in Sony Digital SLRs. The Sony Alpha A99 features a 24.3 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, 6fps continuous shooting, full HD video with continuous AF, and an impressive 2.359million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.
Sony Alpha A99 Features
The Sony Alpha A99 features a new 24.3 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, with new optical low-pass filter, and a shutter rated for 200,000 shots. The sensor has been designed for improved noise performance thanks to better sensitivity to light at the pixel level.
The camera offers 6fps continuous shooting at full resolution as well as a 10fps continuous shooting mode at a cropped resolution. The body is weathersealed and has a magnesium alloy structure internally. The optional battery grip also features the same level of weather sealing.
Movie recording has been developed with Sony's broadcasting team, and provides full HD 60p recording, with full time continuous AF. P/A/S/M manual movie modes have been upgraded. Sound can be recorded by the camera, or using the microphone socket. Audio level display and rec level control is provided, as well as a silent multi controller on the front of the camera. Full HD movie output via HDMI, with shooting info on/off, (simultaneous full HD to screen and other screen), as well as a headphone socket is provided.
The camera has built in GPS, a high resolution OLED Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) with 2.359 million dots, and the screen on the back is a high resolution VGA equivalent 3 inch tilting and swivelling screen to let you take photos and videos from awkward angles.
Key Features
- 24.3 megapixel Full frame CMOS sensor
- Sony A / Alpha lens mount
- Built in SteadyShot Image Sensor
- 3 inch 1,228,800 dots (VGA equivalent, WhiteMagic)
- OLED EVF: 2,359,296 dots
- 6fps continuous shooting, 10fps in telezoom mode
- 19-point AF with 11 cross sensors, with 102-point focal plane phase detection AF sensor
- Weatherproof magnesium alloy body
- Full HD video recording, mic, headphone sockets
- Dual memory card slots, slot 1: MS/SD, slot 2: SD
- ISO: 50 - 25600
- GPS built in
Sony Alpha A99 Handling
Handling - The A99 has a deep hand grip and may be more suited to someone with larger hands - it also features a rubber grip that goes the whole way around the camera from the back thumb grip to the front. With the optional vertical hand grip the camera becomes much larger again and thanks to the magnesium alloy weather sealed body, it feels very well made and very strong. The Sony Alpha A99 without the grip feels extremely comfortable to hold even with one hand, although not recommended, it is a sign that the design and ergonomics are well thought out. The mode dial is released with a middle button, and features 3 custom memory recall positions.
A new flash hot-shoe has been added to the Sony A99, along with the Sony NEX-6 and Sony RX1, which makes it much easier to add standard ISO accessories to the camera. The tilting, swivelling screen is extremely versatile letting you point it forwards either above the camera or below, as well as giving better viewing when holding the camera above or below you. The front focus control button can be used to set different options, and the scroll wheel around the button makes switching between the options quick and easy.
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| Sony A99 Rear Display | Sony A99 Setting AF Range |
Another new feature of the Sony Alpha A99 is the ability to set the AF range for the lens, for example if there isn't a focus limiting switch on the lens, or you want to be more precise about where you want the camera to focus, so the lens doesn't hunt for focus and therefore focus can be even quicker.
Menus – The menu system is well laid out with the menus starting with photo options and then spread over a number of pages are the playback, setup and more advanced options. With the A99 having a number of external controls and buttons you rarely need to access the menus, as the option is displayed on the LCD while changing it. Using the function button it's also possible to get access to most controls on the rear screen.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 410 shots according to Sony / CIPA test results, we were able to take 400 shots with 42% battery life remaining. As the camera uses an Info-Lithium battery, the remaining battery life is shown on the camera as a percentage.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Sony Alpha A99 | Sony RX100 | |
| Shutter Response | 0.05 | 0.0 |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.15* | 0.3 |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | N/A | 0.3 |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 1.0 | 2.2 |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | N/A | 2.1 |
|
Continuous Shooting (shots before slow down) |
6fps (11 shots) | 7fps (speed priority mode, 15 shots) |
| Continuous Shooting - Flash | N/A | 1.6s |
| Continuous Shooting - RAW | 6fps (11 shots) | 4fps (13 shots) |
Shutter response is excellent, and the camera has quick shot to shot times. 10fps shooting mode is cropped from the centre and at a reduced resolution of 4.6 megapixels, and takes 16 shots before slowing down. * Focus was very quick, except when the 100mm macro lens was hunting for focus, and using the AF range setting it was possible to set the focus range to the correct distance and avoid the macro lens from hunting, giving excellent focus speeds.
Sony Alpha A99 Performance
Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.Sony Alpha A99 Sample Photos
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Sample Photos - Images shot with the camera come out with bright saturated colour, and levels of detail are good, with particularly saturated reds and blues. Our studio portrait was shot using manual white balance.
Sony Alpha A99 Lens test images
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Lens Performance - Dynamic range is excellent with reliable exposure in a variety of shooting situations. Some purple fringing is visible in the shot of the trees, although this was not a concern in other shots. Focusing was very reliable and the 100mm Macro lens gives excellent macro performance, as would be expected.
Sony Alpha A99 ISO test images
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ISO Noise Performance - Noise is excellent at ISO50, ISO100, ISO200 and ISO400 with very good detail. Noise appears slightly at ISO800 when viewing images at full size, although it's not very easily noticed until ISO1600. At ISO3200 noise increases again and this grain is easier to see, with a slight loss of detail. At ISO6400 noise increases again and detail drops slightly. At ISO12800 there is a loss of colour saturation as noise increases again, and the camera appears to apply strong chroma noise reduction. At ISO25600 noise it at it's worst and image quality suffers, although it's worth noting that these images could still provide useful when resized. ISO Noise reduction settings: Long Exposure NR (On), High ISO NR (Low, options: Off, Low, Normal).
Sony Alpha A99 White-balance test images
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White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under tungsten lighting, giving a slightly warm result, with the tungsten preset giving a more accurate result. AWB performs very well under fluorescent lighting, with each fluorescent preset giving a different colour cast.
1/125 sec | f/4.5 | 100.0 mm | ISO 100 - Panoramic mode automatically stitches the photos together as you pan the camera from one side to another.
Sony Alpha A99 Digital filters
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Digital Filters - Creative effects shown above - unfortunately it's not possible to record RAW original images when using these effects. There are a variety of colour options and creative effects including HDR painting and Rich Tone Monochrome - both of these take 3 photos and merge them together for greater dynamic range. The colour options let you customise contrast, saturation and sharpness.
Video - Video options include P/A/S/M shooting, AVCHD, MP4, Steadyshot On/Off, AF tracking, Wind noise reduction, and creative styles as well as picture effects can be applied. Max ISO for video is ISO6400. Continuous AF during videos is extremely quick as this video shows.
Value For Money
The Sony Alpha A99 is available for £2299 body only which makes it reasonable value for money, although since its introduction, the Nikon D600 (23.4mp, 5.5fps, £1379) and Canon EOS 6D (20.2mp, GPS, Wi-Fi, 4.5fps, £1799) offer similar levels of performance for noticeably less, and of the following cameras, the Canon EOS 6D and Canon EOS 5D Mark III (22.3mp, 6fps, £2299) can be used at higher ISO settings, although the 6D is the only one of these that doesn't feature a headphone socket. Alternatively the Nikon D800/D800E, offers the highest resolution at 36.3mp, 4fps, and is available for £1849.
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| Nikon D600 | Nikon D800 | Canon 5D Mark III |
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| £1379 | £1849 | £2299 |
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Sony Alpha A99 Verdict
The Sony Alpha A99 is literally packed with features with built in image stabilisation, GPS, high speed shooting, HDR modes, a high resolution OLED EVF, a tilting / swivelling 3 inch screen (unique in full frame DSLRs), electronic level, and weather sealed body to name just some of the features.The camera provides good handling, with rapid speed and a relatively easy to use menu system and controls. A large number of external buttons and dials aid quick setting changes, and the introduction of a more standard flash socket is an improvement over the previous Sony flash hot-shoe. With a Sony Info-lithium battery you get excellent information about how long you have left to shoot as well.
Image quality is particularly pleasing with excellent noise performance and focus performance is excellent thanks to the cameras SLT technology, allowing fast focusing for continuous shooting as well as video recording. Another unique feature is AF range control which could be particularly useful for sports or wildlife photographers where the subject is a set distance. Colour, detail, and dynamic range are all excellent with the camera producing great photos straight from the camera.
The Sony Alpha A99 has a number of unique features that help it stand out amongst other full frame Digital SLRs, and importantly delivers some impressive benefits thanks to Sony's use of "Translucent Mirror" technology, namely quicker focus performance for photos and video, as well as high speed live view performance, and a high resolution OLED electronic viewfinder. For stills photography you may want to save some money and look at some of the other full frame cameras, but if you take high speed photography or are interested in video recording then the Sony Alpha A99 certainly stands out - it also takes some excellent photos.
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| The Sony Alpha A99 offers excellent image quality and impressive speed. |
Sony Alpha A99 Pros
Excellent noise performanceGreat image quality and excellent colourAF range controlLens AF fine tuningLarge strapMore standard ISO Flash than previous modelsInfo-Lithium BatteryBuilt in GPSOLED viewfinder looks excellentContinuous AF in videosFocus PeakingElectronic levelSony Alpha A99 Cons
Doesn't automatically switch between memory card slotsPrice compared to competitionLoud shutter sound| FEATURES |
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| PERFORMANCE |
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| VALUE FOR MONEY |
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| VERDICT |
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Sony Alpha A99 Specifications
| Manufacturer | Sony | |
| Lens | ||
| Effective Magnification | 1x | |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Pixels | 24.3Mp (Megapixels) | |
| Pixels (W) | 6000 | |
| Pixels (H) | 4000 | |
| Sensor Type | Exmor CMOS | |
| Sensor Size | 35mm | |
| Sensor Size (width) | 35.8mm | |
| Sensor Size (height) | 23.9mm | |
| Aspect Ratio |
| |
| LCD Monitor | ||
| LCD Monitor | 3in | |
| Screen resolution | 1,228,800 dots | |
| Touch Screen | No | |
| Focusing | ||
| Focusing modes |
| |
| Exposure Control | ||
| Shutter speeds shortest | 1/8000sec | |
| Shutter speeds longest | 30sec | |
| Bulb mode | Yes | |
| Exp modes |
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| Metering |
| |
| ISO sensitivity | 50 - 25600 | |
| White balance |
| |
| Exposure Comp | +/-5 | |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Magnification | No Data | |
| Shooting Options | ||
| Continuous shooting | 6fps | |
| Video | ||
| Movie mode | Yes | |
| Video Resolution |
| |
| Video FPS | 30,25fps | |
| Stereo Sound | Yes | |
| Optical Zoom with Video | Yes | |
| Other Features | ||
| Image Stabilisation | Yes | |
| Interface | ||
| HDMI | Yes | |
| USB | USB 2 | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Storage | ||
| Card Type |
| |
| File Type |
| |
| Power Source | ||
| Battery Type | Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM500H | |
| Battery Life (CIPA rating) | 410shots | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | No Data | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 812g | |
| Width | 147mm | |
| Height | 111.2mm | |
| Depth | 78.4mm | |
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Photographs taken using the Sony Alpha A99
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13 Dec 2012 7:19PM-
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14 Dec 2012 9:56AM-
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14 Dec 2012 11:44AMQuote:Waiting for FF compact
Does not the DSC - RX1 qualify as a compact ?
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14 Dec 2012 8:51PM-
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19 Dec 2012 12:03PMHowever I do have to wonder at the experience of the reviewer if he found the shutter loud (listed in 'Cons')!!???!!!! Clearly, he has never handled any other DSLR because this is about the quietest you will get.
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19 Dec 2012 4:12PMI think that Sony have put on too many "consumer" features. Strip them off to make it a more professional tool, like the Alpha 900. But then, havign them adds next to nothing to the price, and one doesn't have to use them.
I imagine the price will drop, as that of the D800 has. When a camera hits the shelves, it tends to be priced up.
Will I get one? No: it doesn't outperform my Alpha 900 enough in ways that I value (though others may, and highly). It is priced above my current means (a reflection of my personal circumstances, not the price in itself). And finally, why does it not have a 36mp sensor, as Sony make for Nikon, I believe?
I am sure that the next Alpha will rock my world: for now, the 900 continues to rule, and (if cosmetics matter) it looks the part, in a way that smoothie-rounded techie-toys don't.
But then, I still rate my Contax RTS as simply the best camera I own, so you may want to ignore every word I've written...
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19 Dec 2012 11:26PM-
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20 Dec 2012 1:07PM-
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20 Dec 2012 5:44PMAnd, if I didn't have a 900, and did have cash in hand today, I'm sure I'd go for one. But as I have and I don't, and the 900 resolved most of the issues that had plagued previous cameras, as well as delivering results that make me and my subjects very happy, I will still stick, for now.
Better colour would be good (though I often shoot in mono), as would higher resolution. Less high-ISO noise? Not so sure: I still use fast film in active developer to get lots of grain from film, sometimes, and I suspect that the 99 would be a severe disappointment in that way, by being too good...
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21 Dec 2012 2:42PMQuote: this is about the quietest you will get.
The shutter is quiet because the mirror does not jump up and down.
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24 Dec 2012 5:12PM-
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24 Dec 2012 5:34PMYou might like the availability of Zeiss lenses, in certain focal lengths. (I have used Zeiss glass since 1976, and I know my 1977 85mm Planar is the sharpest 85mm I have used, including a Canon and a Minolta. It is rather good...)
You might decide that body-integral antishake (which means it's there with EVERY lens) is useful for ultra low light work, or specialist applications.
You may want a viewfinder that shows you the result of exposure, colour balance, and picture style (e.g. see a B/W image in the viewfinder when recording a B/W image).
And you might want the lack of mirror noise/shake that everything with a non-fixed mirror has.
Finally, you might be the sort of contrary person who wants to back soemthing a bit left-field, rather than buying what the majority have. As some buy a Subaru car rather than a VW or a Ford.
There may be other specifics that are only apparent to those who have used the camera, and I hope that they will add soemthing - Sydney2 above speaks highly of the colour, for instance.
I admit to bias, as I have an Alpha 99 and several lenses, and have still got legacy Minolta bodies and glass (which work perfectly well on Alphas, so far). There is less continuity in Canon lenses - or, perhaps, more accurately, in the use of third-party EOS-fit lenses on digital EOS bodies.
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24 Dec 2012 7:55PMYour points are valid and appreciated.
Merely for the sake of discussion I would say that, I do like in-body shake reduction, (I owned an A300), however ultimate sharpness is not my greatest concern, as I believe you can reach a point beyond which greater resolution is of little use. I now use a D7000 but I haven't done any macro photography, I've never felt the need for a Zeiss lens. Also, although I respect Subaru, (less of them here in the UK) there is usually a good sound reason behind products, be they cars or cameras, becoming the brand leaders, and I have a suspicion that, no disrespect intended, some of those choosing 'left field' often do so in order just to be able to say so....
All that said, I have absolutely no doubt that I would be very happy with an A99, the reviews are very encouraging.
Regards to all, and Happy Christmas (4hrs 5mins to go here)
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24 Dec 2012 8:34PMOn quality, I'd simply say that having enough that you KNOW that any problems are your technique is always good. In digital, I really enjoy having files that do not need sharpening.
And (having just traded in my second Subaru for a far-more-economical Fabia), I'd comment that there's a reason that Subaru have lifted the World Rally Championship, and VW haven't. They don't feel as solid, but you think them round corners, rather than having to steer them. (Mine were not turbocharged: you needed bends and no BMW in front to appreciate just how lovely they were!)
And, absolutely, I go for the "road less travelled" in many things. It's often more interesting...
Canon cameras deliver a reliable standard product. That's why they're successful. But that does not mean that other brands (and currently, particularly Nikon, using Sony sensors, and Sony) are challenging their market dominance.
You'd not, I am sure, be disappointed with a 5D III, either. And certainly not with a D800, which seems to have a lead on both, in quality and (amazingly) price...
Happy Christmas (with 3h 26m to go as I finish...)
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25 Dec 2012 4:10AMI had a Canon Mark II with L lenses. I had always been a Canon guy and still appreciate the brand, however after trying a Sony A65 for a few months the dynamic range that I was able to get, among other things, made me put the Mark II on the shelf. Didn't expect that to happen but it sure did. I do a lot of low light shooting and often am in extremely high contrast situations. The results I was getting on a consistent basis were just plain better that with any other gear I have used over the years. I still wanted full frame so when the A99 came out I was looking forward to see what it could do.
I was impressed enough to trade out all of my Canon equipment to get the A99. I couldn't be more pleased with the decision. The feature set including the software algorithms are many steps ahead of other full frame cameras.
If you are a brand fan than you aren't likely to look objectively at what SONY has produced at this time but if you are willing to do some "blind testing in real world settings"I think you will find the pros VS cons of the A99 will tip strongly toward the A99.
Hope user experience helps.
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6 Jan 2013 8:43PM-
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24 Jan 2013 10:34PMhttps://www.ephotozine.com/user/sydney2-104523/gallery/photo/robin-31774933
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